Erun (Scifi Alien Romance) (The Ujal Book 4) (9 page)

A youngling was comforting him, reassuring him.
Him
—one of the deadliest males in the Ujal race. Vados snickered and Rhal coughed. He bet the male covered a laugh with the action.

“Is there something you require?” He raised a single brow, choosing to ignore Tabitha’s attempt at comfort.

“We,” Rhal coughed once more. “We came to provide escort. Sece says she is waking.”

She. Vanessa. His. His even if she had not yet realized her new designation. Holding her life in his hands, caring for the reason for her breath, made him crave having the two females in his life. She would be his mate. She was just not aware of that fact yet.

He spoke with Sece of his desires and they discussed the benefits and difficulties of such a task. Their mating would not be the same as others, his altered genetic material would not allow for such a thing. There were no certainties. He only prayed Nessa was willing to take a chance… on him.

“Momma?” The tiny voice interrupted them. “Daman, see Momma?”

For days he had tried to teach her his true name but he would forever be Daman to the kid. He decided to stop trying. “I believe so. Are you prepared?”

“Yes.” She scrambled to her feet and tugged on her small dress before bringing her heels together and pressing her straightened arms to her side. “I ready.”

Another snicker from Vados and cough from Rhal. “You, uh, trained her to stand at attention?”

He glared at the males. “I met with the principessa’s elites and I could not leave her behind. She is like a sea sponge. She soaks up everything.”

“I a sponge,” she nodded.

Erun shook his head and bent at the waist, lifting her into his arms, cradling her bottom with his arm. Tave was forced to teach him that hold for he did not have hips like Rina, Cara, or Maris and could not “prop” Tabitha on one. Tabby did not seem to mind the altered hold so he did not worry. “Let us go see your
dam
.”

The kid laid her head on his shoulder and patted his chest. “K.”

He had learned the single letter combined with a gentle tapping was her agreement. He thought he’d been done with learning when he’d left his training years behind him. Apparently not.

Vados took the lead while Rhal followed behind, protecting his youngling—for she would be someday—from harm. Many males felt he was taking protection from others by requiring such a guard. When they had younglings of their own, they would understand. There was nothing he would not do for Tabitha. Nothing.

Vanessa would die for Tabby. Erun would kill for her.

It did not take long to wind down the hallways toward Vanessa’s room. He’d demanded she reside deep within the station, relocating half of medical to ensure her protection. There would be no further risks to her.

When they finally arrived, Sece waited for them outside the room, her eyes kind and worry tainting her expression.

“Is there a problem?” he rumbled, concern teasing his senses.

“I just wanted you prepared,” she said slowly. “Perhaps it is best if Tabitha waits to visit another day.”

“No,” his denial was echoed by Tabby’s.

“Wanna see Momma.” She glared at Sece and she crossed her little arms much like… him.

“Tabby,” Sece started and then gave him a pleading look. “Your mother was very sick and—” She shook her head. “There are a lot of machines connected to her. It could be scary, sweetheart.”

“Daman, wanna see Momma.”

“Yes, youngling,” he sighed. He recognized the tone. He’d experienced it more than once over the last few days. “But if you are frightened, you must be strong, little one.”

“And tell you, and you make it better.” She stared at him and poked her cheek. “No. Tears.”

He realized he probably should not have taught her that gesture. She was going to poke her eye out.

Sece looked skeptical but placed her palm on the pad, nonetheless. The doors quietly parted, granting them access. The cool of the room beckoned and he carried Tabitha inside. Their attention landed on the lone bed in the space and the single, bandaged female who rested upon the soft surface. Vanessa was covered in white blankets, one arm exposed with tubes connected to the back of her hand. The dressing around her throat hid her wound from view and he was glad Tabby would be saved from that picture.

Vanessa’s eyes fluttered open at their entrance, brown orbs scanning the room before her attention finally settled on them. A smile graced her lips when her gaze landed on him and it spread even wider when she spied Tabby.

“Hey, baby.” Her voice was hoarse and rough, audible proof of her injury.

Erun focused on the child, watching for her reaction, and her plump lower lip trembled while her face reddened in that way he knew led to much screaming.

“Tabitha,” he drew her attention to him. “What did we say?”

Tabby huffed and sniffled. “I scared now.”

“Why?”

“Because Momma’s hurt.”

“And who shall make sure Momma is never hurt again?”

“You.” Her voice was small.

“Me. So you shall stop being afraid of your momma being hurt. I will protect you both.” He jostled her as Rina showed him. How shaking was comforting he did not know, but it worked so he would not question the principessa. “Now, shall we say hello to Momma?”

That was the only encouragement she needed. Then the small, chubby arms were extended, hands flexing and contracting as if she could snatch her
dam
from eight feet away. The child had much to learn of distances. The things he would have to teach her were immeasurable. And he couldn’t wait to begin.

Erun padded forward, holding firmly to Tabitha as she sought to leap from his arms.

“Be easy…” he warned, but neither female listened. As Tabby leapt forward, Vanessa leaned toward them and the two females tangled on the bed. Nessa acted as if she hadn’t nearly lost her throat while Tabby was overjoyed at being reunited with her
dam
.

And neither paid attention to him. Perhaps he was unneeded and it was time for a
dam
and child. He did not wish to leave but he wasn’t Vanessa’s mate or Tabby’s
sire
either. He took one step back, and then another. When he took the third, both females looked to him.

“Where are you going?” He ached for Vanessa when he heard her voice.

“Daman?”

“This is a time for family and I…”
Am not.
Yet.

“Come here, Erun.” At her order, he moved forward without hesitation.

He told himself it was because he did not wish for her to strain her voice and not because he hated the space between them. He stopped at her side, reaching for Tabby without thought and tucking her hair away from her face. No matter how many times he secured the strands they always came loose and—

“Thank you.” The scrape of those words had him wincing.

“Don’t speak unless necessary, Vanessa. You are still worn and weary.”

She flashed a small smile and that cold part of him warmed. He had not believed he’d ever see that expression—any expression from her—again. “I’m fine.”

“You almost—” He swallowed the last word.
Died
. She’d almost died. Truly, she had passed more than once while Sece struggled to repair the damage from the male. She’d required a transfusion of human blood as well as surgery to sustain her life.

He bristled when foreign blood was introduced to her body. He’d wanted it to be his own.
He
would save her if she needed saving.

Sece had to gently remind him his genetic material had not yet been altered appropriately and Vanessa had not given the female approval. That would change. Soon.

“You were very ill,
lofei
.”

“What does that mean?”

“Can I nap now, Momma?” The soft question was immediately followed by a delicate snore that told him Tabitha would sleep beside her
dam
no matter what they said.

Vanessa stared at her daughter, a tenderness in her gaze that made him ache with so many emotions. “Thank you for taking care of her. Sece said you were wonderful with her.”

When her attention returned to him, he shrugged. “I believe I was adequate. She cried many times and we had many tea parties that did not involve tea.” He frowned. “Perhaps we should speak with the learning center. Rina assures me she is fine, but—”

“She’s perfect.” Vanessa smiled, eyes heavily lidded. “You kept her perfect for me.”

“Do not get the wrong idea. I am a selfish male. I kept her perfect for me, as well.” He looked around the room and spotted a chair nearby. He snagged it with ease and silently placed it beside the bed. “When you are well, I would like to discuss your transition and my part in the process.”

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion. “You said you’d donate if it was possible. What else is there? Have you changed your mind?”

Erun grimaced and an unfamiliar heat suffused his cheeks. Perhaps he was becoming ill. “No, I…” His gaze strayed to the slumbering Tabitha. “I never believed I would have a family of my own. I told you the
krilate
determined that long ago, and no Ujal female desires a male who cannot give them offspring. No female wishes to mate with a male who spent sixteen years as a slave to the sphere.

“I ask that, while you consider using my genetic material…” He straightened his shoulders. He would release the words and show her she would not mate a male who cowered over such a thing as mating. “I ask you to consider becoming my mate. I have proven my worth with Tabitha and I have no doubt I could care for you both. I ask that you tell Sece not to strip my Ujal traits entirely.” He softened his voice. “We would still be a family. A family by choice.”

“I…”

Erun did not wish to remain if her immediate response was a denial. “I will allow you time to think on the idea. Sece stated you have quite a bit of healing to endure before you are fit enough for transition.” He reached out and traced the roundness of Tabitha’s cheek with a single finger. “Anyone will show you how to contact me.” He risked one last look at her. “I only ask you take time before making your decision.”

Erun was a worthy and skilled warrior. He knew when to attack and when to retreat.

For now, he made a tactical retreat.

Vanessa still considered Erun’s offer. From the moment he’d left her room, his words had been on her brain. With each prick of the needle and speculative glance from Sece, she’d rolled it through her head.

“We would still be a family. A family by choice
.”

Three days in medical and one day at home and she wasn’t any closer to an answer. The doctors had managed to heal her wounds until she was left with red markings where she’d been injured, but they couldn’t make the decision for her.

Each day that passed pushed her closer to her deadline. Tabby needed treatment and it was time for Vanessa to shit or get off the pot.

There were so many variables, so many instances of
if
and
may
and
possibly
that blanketed her like a cloud.

Erun was Ujal, yet he wasn’t. Tabitha loved him and was comforted by his presence—so his blood would build compatibility. And yet his blood would tie them together as mates.

Was Vanessa willing to take that risk? Was she willing to say screw it and accept him? Because that’s what he was asking. They’d modify his blood enough to trigger Nessa’s transition, but no further. They would be mates.

Watching her daughter fitfully sleeping in her small bed surrounded by pink ruffles and bows, she realized she’d do anything for her. But mate him?

Shit.

She pressed a soft kiss to Tabby’s head. “Love you,” she whispered and then padded toward the door.

She grabbed the baby monitor on her way out and flicked the handset on. She needed the soothing sound of the sea while she continued considering his offer. Sece told her to make a decision. Soon.

Today—tonight—would be it. One way or another, she’d choose Erun’s blood modified by Sece to instigate the change or some nameless male with pure Ujal blood whose traits could be stripped. A sure mating with Erun or a life as a transitioned female with no chance of a mate.

She supposed she could marry a human someday.

And have him not understand my new need for the ocean and penchant for scales?
She mentally snorted.

All right. She was back to Erun or nobody. She could stand being alone, but Erun… tugged at something inside her. He was a gruff asshole at times, but he was sexy as hell and wonderful with Tabitha. She saw a softer, tender side of him when he held Tabitha even as he glared at Vanessa.

Then there was Rina—the one woman who always had her back and was currently shoving her toward him.

He’s born to be a father, Nessa. Born to it. He may snarl at everyone, but he’s so tender and caring with her. I know he was an asshole, but give him a shot. Talk to him.

Vanessa slipped from the house onto the back porch and sank into a nearby chair. Okay, she’d talk to him. She wasn’t sure what she’d say or how they’d figure things out, but Sece gave her a week to make a decision.
At most.

She’d wasted four days on
thinking
. Now she had three days of
doing
.

She’d call him in the morning. She could begin her
doing
then.

For now, she relaxed and let the ocean’s waves calm her. They flowed in and out, bathing the shore with the liquid. That’d be her daughter’s home soon. And her own. They’d delve beneath the waves together and explore the ocean floors. Tabby was such an inquisitive child and—

A movement off the coast drew her attention. She was used to seeing dolphins break the surface, the sight making her smile, but whatever she saw remained above the water. She squinted her eyes, trying to bring it into focus. The sun glinted off the ocean, half blinding her, but she didn’t miss a flash of purple. A color familiar to her now.
Erun…

Okay, she was apparently starting her
doing
now. Vanessa rose and tucked the monitor into her pocket before slowly descending the steps to the sand. Erun remained in place and she wondered if she was wrong, wondered if she’d made a mistake and that small bit of purple was just sea trash and—